An adult sits on the floor with a child, helping the child play with toy vehicles in a living room.

I Have Concerns Around My Child’s Development

Many parents and carers have questions about their child’s development at some point. Children grow and learn at different speeds – and people will have different ideas of what to expect.

Many of the differences in how children grow and learn are normal. They’ll usually improve over time with encouragement, routine and support.

Sometimes, a child may need extra help with things like movement, behaviour, learning or interacting with others. Community children’s services are here to guide families – we can offer advice, reassurance and specialist support if needed.

More about i have concerns around my child’s development

What might be affecting your child’s development?

It’s very common for children to reach milestones at different times. For example, some may speak, walk or become toilet trained earlier or later than others. Children also vary in their emotional ups and downs, confidence, attention span, coordination and fine motor skills, which they use when holding pencils or cutlery.

Many children make progress naturally with time, encouragement and everyday practice. Sometimes a child’s behaviour or development may change after a big life event, such as illness or a new sibling. If things are slowly improving, it’s usually a reassuring sign.

You might try talking and connecting, talk during everyday activities share books together, even for short moments, use simple language and give your child time to respond.

Moving, playing and learning, create time to play outside, practise climbing, running, throwing and catching, try activities like colouring, puzzles or building blocks, use play to explore shapes, colours and counting and offer simple choices.

Supporting emotions, help name feelings (“You look upset” or “You seem excited”)
offer comfort and reassurance, praise small efforts in simple ways and keep routines predictable where possible.

You might want to speak to your health visitor in the first instance if your child is finding everyday activities very difficult, you feel something “isn’t quite right” and your worry continues, your child offers limited eye contact or has very limited interest in others, your child speaks few words by age two or your child is not walking by 18 months.

Your health visitor might talk to you about developmental assessments, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and a paediatric medical review.

Questions and answers

Is it normal for children to develop at different rates?

Should I be worried if my child isn’t talking yet?

What can I do to support my child’s development?

My child seems clumsy – is this unusual?

Some clumsiness is normal. Encourage active play and activities that build coordination. You can ask our community children’s service for advice if your child frequently bumps into things or falls a lot, your child has difficulties with functional tasks such as dressing or using cutlery – at an age when it is appropriate to expect, your child had delayed motor skills as an infant or toddler – for example sitting, crawling, walking or your child’s movements appear awkward and unrefined.

Should I be concerned if my child avoids other children?

What if my child’s behaviour feels difficult to manage?

How do I know if my child needs a developmental assessment?

What should I do if I’m unsure?